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Kate Bush suffers backlash after backing Theresa May

Kate Bush: Before the Dawn Album cover. Source: Amazon.co.uk

In an interview with Canadian current affairs publication, Maclean’s Magazine, the iconic British singer-songwriter, Kate Bush, expressed her admiration for the UK Prime Minister. In the process, Bush has angered much of her fan-base.

When asked in the interview whether “the fear [of women in power] is stronger than ever” in the wake of Hillary Clinton’s defeat in the US Presidential election, Bush spoke approvingly of UK leader Theresa May.

She said:

“We have a female prime minister here in the UK. I actually really like her and think she’s wonderful. I think it’s the best thing that’s happened to us in a long time. She’s a very intelligent woman but I don’t see much to fear. I will say it is great to have a woman in charge of the country. She’s very sensible and I think that’s a good thing at this point in time.”

This revelation has amassed somewhat of a backlash among the singer’s fans, with many appearing shocked by Bush’s supposedly conservative leanings.

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Because actions speak louder than words, here’s a list of a few charities and humanitarian organizations and efforts that Kate Bush has been involved with over the years:

OXFAM INTERNATIONAL
1978
Kate participates in the Oxfam “I’m On The Move Against Poverty, Join Me” campaign. “Oxfam is an international confederation of charitable organizations focused on the alleviation of global poverty.”

THE PRINCE’S TRUST
21 July 1982
Kate performs “The Wedding List” live at The Prince’s Trust charity concert. “The Prince’s Trust is a youth charity that helps young people aged 13 to 30 get into jobs, education and training”.

GREENPEACE
4 June 1985
Kate contributes her song “Breathing” to the Greenpeace Album. “Greenpeace is a people-powered movement fighting for a green and peaceful future for our oceans, forests, food, climate and democracy.”

COMIC RELIEF: UTTERLY, UTTERLY LIVE
4-6 April 1986
Kate performs “Breathing” live each night of the Comic Relief charity shows in London. The performance is later released on an album to promote the charity. “Comic Relief is a major UK charity, with a vision of a just world, free from poverty.”

FERRY AID
23 March 1987
Kate participates in recording the single “Let It Be” in support of Ferry Aid. “The single was released following the Zeebrugge Disaster, which had occurred on 6 March 1987 involving the capsizing of the MS Herald of Free Enterprise ferry, which killed 193 passengers and crew. All proceeds from sales of the single were donated to the charity set up in the aftermath of the disaster.”

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
28-29 March 1987
Kate appears at “The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball” concerts in aid of Amnesty International. She performs “Running Up That Hill” and “Let It Be” with Dave Gilmour. Highlights from the concert are later released on LP and DVD to support the organization. “Protecting human rights worldwide, Amnesty International focuses on the release of prisoners of conscience, fair and prompt trials for all political prisoners.”

SHOP ASSISTANCE AIDS CHARITY
30 July 1988
Kate celebrates her 30th birthday by participating in the charity event “Shop Assistance” to benefit the Terrence Higgins Trust. She serves as a shopkeeper for the day at Blazer’s Boutique. “Terrence Higgins Trust is a British charity that aims to reduce the spread of HIV and promote good sexual health (including safe sex); to provide services on a national and local level to people with, affected by, or at risk of contracting HIV; and to campaign for greater public understanding of the impact of HIV and AIDS.”

SPIRIT OF THE FOREST SINGLE
June 1989
Kate participates in the recording of a song about the dwindling rain forests of South America to support the charity Earth Love Fund. “Earth Love Fund raises funds and awareness to support environmental conservation projects in tropical rainforests and endangered forests worldwide.”

INTERNATIONAL HOSTAGE RELEASE FOUNDATION
1991
Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush contribute the song “Don’t Give Up” to the charity album “Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime” in support of the International Hostage Release Foundation whose mission is to “highlight the plight of hostages around the world.”

WAR CHILD CHARITY
1994 and 1997
Kate donates artworks she created to charity auctions in both 1994 and 1997 to benefit the non-profit organization War Child. “War Child helps to raise awareness and support of war affected children globally through local and international initiatives.”

NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN
2005
Kate donates the use of her song “This Woman’s Work” for television advertisements to aid the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. “The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is a charity campaigning and working in child protection in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands.”

WITNESS
11 December 2006
Kate is one of 44 musicians to sign a vintage Fairlight for a charity auction in support of WITNESS. “WITNESS is a human rights organization that uses video and online technologies to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations.”

THE ART OF PEACE FOUNDATION
24 July 2015
Kate contributes her song “Wild Man (Remastered Shimmer)” to a charity album entitled “Art Of Peace: Songs For Tibet II” to benefit The Art Of Peace Foundation. “The Art of Peace Foundation is a non-profit founded on the Dalai Lama’s belief of Universal Responsibility and the belief that regardless of political, cultural or religious differences, that skillful compassionate actions can reduce suffering and promote happiness.”

OPEN LETTER TO DAVID CAMERON TO HELP REFUGEES IN CALAIS
18 February 2016
Kate signs an open letter to David Cameron asking to delay demolition of the Calais ‘Jungle’ to protect children of the refugee crisis there.

WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION
Kate is also a patron of the Wildlife Aid Foundation. “The Wildlife Aid Foundation is dedicated to the rescue, care and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wild animals.”